TicketsJune 25, 2008
University of Cincinnati men's soccer players Judson McKinney (Cuyahoga Falls, OH/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy), Brad Simpson (Novi, MI/Novi), Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, OH/Brecksville-Broadview Heights), Matt Williams (Portland, ME/Cheverus) and Miguel Rosales (Aurora, CO/Smoky Hill) are currently honing their crafts in the Premier Development League (PDL), the top amateur league in the nation.
McKinney, a junior-to-be, is sporting his wares for his hometown Cleveland Internationals. He has played in five matches as a defender.
Simpson, the Bearcats' lone senior for the 2008 season, has teamed with Stelmak and Williams with the Cincinnati Kings. Stelmak, a sophomore forward, was named to the PDL Team of the Week for week nine after scoring two goals and adding an assist in the Kings' 3-1 victory against West Michigan. He leads the Kings with two goals and two assists. Simpson has played in nine matches at defender and Williams, a redshirt sophomore, holds a 1.20 goals against average and two shutouts in five matches as the Kings keeper.
Rosales, a sophomore goalkeeper, is playing with his former club team, Real Colorado, which is in a transitional phase. It will become a full member of the USL's Premier Development League in 2009. This season, the club is playing exhibition matches against current PDL squads.
The top U23 men's amateur league in North America lives in the USL PDL, the development ground for elite players. The 2008 campaign features a 67-team format within four conferences, consisting of 16 regular season matches, 8 home and 8 away. The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and various exhibitions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.